Features and control of deep excavation in wet-collapsible loess areas of Xi’an, China Available to Purchase

In this paper, foundation pit deformation traits are explored based on the data of 31 foundation pits in the wet-collapsible loess area of Xi’an, China. The research indicates that: the maximum settlement of the ground surface is primarily 5–20 mm, and the lateral deformation of the soldier pile is mainly 5–15 mm; an average lateral shift of the support pile and vertical settlement of the ground surface is 0.061%H (excavation depth of the foundation pit), and the surface settlement is approximately 0.98 times the maximum lateral shift of the support pile; the deformation of the foundation pit grows with increasing dig depth while decreasing with increasing insertion ratio and aspect ratio; the stiffness of the support system has no significant effect on reducing the deformation of the foundation pit. On this basis, a new Gaussian empirical formula is developed based on the relationship between surface subsidence and excavation depth, and it is proved that the spatial effect on surface subsidence in the wet-collapsible loess area is about 3.2H. In addition, related control measures are proposed to alleviate the foundation pit deformation. This may offer valuable scientific support and practical engineering guidance for accurately predicting surface settlement around foundation pits in similar ground conditions.